Children's Museums
Key West Shipwreck Museum
📍 1 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040🕐 Hours
| Monday | 9 AM–5 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–5 PM |
About Key West Shipwreck Museum
Showcase of the area's maritime heritage. Tours, artifacts & films presented in a recreation of an 1850s wrecker's warehouse. The museum features artifacts from the Isaac Allerton shipwreck of 1856, showcased inside a recreation of an 1850s wrecker's warehouse, providing an immersive historical setting for the maritime collection. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,307 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Shipwreck Museum
- Best For
- All ages, families with kids
- Main Attraction
- 65-foot Captain's Observatory with views; artifacts from Isaac Allerton shipwreck (1856)
- Interactive Features
- Lift authentic silver bars, hands-on wrecker exhibits, costumed docents, films
- Admission
- From $17.09 adults
💡 Did You Know?
- The museum features artifacts from the Isaac Allerton shipwreck of 1856, showcased inside a recreation of an 1850s wrecker's warehouse, providing an immersive historical setting for the maritime collection
- Visitors can lift genuine silver bars from Spanish galleons as part of the interactive exhibits, allowing hands-on engagement with authentic historical artifacts
- The museum features a 65-foot Captain's Observatory with sweeping views of Key West, which reviewers specifically highlighted as worth the admission price alone, and offers a live webcam stream available on the museum's website and YouTube
- The museum includes costumed docents, notably Captain Joe on the second floor, who provide immersive historical interpretation while maintaining character and engaging visitors with storytelling and interactive engagement
💬 What Visitors Say
- Don't miss Captain Joe on the second floor - he's a costumed docent who delivers engaging historical knowledge with jokes and magic tricks that captivate both adults and children, making him a must-see highlight of your visit
- The 65-foot observation tower is worth the admission price alone - it provides unique aerial views of Key West and offers exercise on an otherwise flat island. Ring the bells on your way up and down for an interactive experience
- Plan to spend about 1 hour at the museum, which allows time to explore artifacts at your own pace, interact with hands-on exhibits like lifting real silver bars, watch informative videos, and climb the observation tower
- Save money by purchasing combination packages like the Trolley, Aquarium and Shipwreck Package starting at $87.93 - the Aquarium admission often includes Shipwreck Museum entry as a bonus
- Families with children should prioritize the interactive elements: lifting real silver bars, the tower climb with bells to ring, treasure hunt activities, and engaging with costumed docents who make history entertaining for young visitors
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